Iran dismissed the chief executive of Irancell after the company failed to follow government orders on the nationwide internet shutdown. State-linked Fars news agency reported the decision on Sunday. Authorities removed Alireza Rafiei after about one year in the role.
Iran imposed a sudden communications blackout on January 8. Officials acted as calls for anti-government protests intensified. The demonstrations began over the country’s worsening economic crisis. Internet access remained largely unavailable across the country since the shutdown.
Fars said Irancell did not comply with crisis policies on restricting connectivity. Officials cited this failure as the reason for Rafiei’s dismissal. The government said it plans to restore internet access gradually.
Some access returned on Sunday. AFP journalists in Tehran reported limited global connectivity. Many local service providers remained blocked. State television confirmed the restoration of Google access on mobile networks and some providers.
Authorities did not explain the uneven connectivity. The government has maintained tight controls on online platforms during periods of unrest.
Irancell began operations in 2005. The operator claims around 70 million subscribers nationwide. The dismissal highlights growing pressure on telecom firms to enforce state directives during political and social crises.
